| Culebra Expert | |||||||||||||||
 Katherine Figueroa, CIPS, CRB, GRI, TRC - Lic.6747 |  Katherine Figueroa, CIPS, CRB, GRI, TRCKF REAL ESTATE |
 | My other neighborhood pages:LuquilloOld San JuanVieques | ||||||||||||
| KF Real Estate "The Difference in Real Estate" | |||||||||||||||
CULEBRA
Culebra is known as "Isla Chiquita" (small island) and "Ultima Virgen" (last virgin). Culebra was founded on October 27, 1880 by Cayetano Escudero. Culebra original names were "Isla Pasaje" and "Isla de San Idelfonso" in honor of Bishop San Idelfonso de la Culebra. Cayetano Escudero was the first Delegate of Culebra appointed by a Governmental order from Vieques on August 2, 1881. Located 27 km (17 miles) east of Puerto Rico and 19 km (12 miles) west to Saint Thomas, its dimensions are about 11 km (7 miles) long and 5 km (3.5 miles) wide. Its total area including surrounding Cays is 7,000 acres. The capital is Dewey, which contains most of the archipelagoes 2000 souls. The municipality of Culebra includes all surrounding islets: Cayo Norte, Cayo Ballena, Cayos Geniqui, Culebrita, Arrecife Culebrita, Cayo de Luis Peña (named after its second owner), Las Hermanas, El Mono, Cayo Lobo, Cayo Lobito, Cayo Botijuela, Alcarraza, Los Gemelos, and Piedra Steven. On February 27, 1909, a bird refuge was established, making it one of the oldest refuges in the system. Since then much of the island and the surrounding 23 islets including Culebrita are protected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a nature preserve, making the islands one of only two nesting sites for giant sea turtles in the U.S. The Culebra National Wildlife Refuge, 600 ha, protects large colonies of sea birds (with approx. 85 species), particularly terns, red-billed tropic birds and boobies, and nesting sea turtles. The refuge is accessible by ferry from the east coast or by plane from San Juan. Culebrita is the largest cay near Culebra. Culebrita's beach is the finest of white sand and the water visibility is almost unlimited. It is accessible only by boat, and boasts the oldest operating lighthouse in the Caribbean. The Culebrita Lighthouse was built in 1886. In 1975, the Navy and Coast Guard closed the facility. Since then, the lighthouse has sustained heavy damage from hurricanes and vandalism. In 1981, the old lighthouse was registered on the National Register of Historical Monuments of the United States. Luis Peña is the second largest cay near to Culebra. Many sandy beaches can be found on this cay, as well as wonderful coral reef located on the SW side, perfect for snorkeling. Marejada Beach it's also known as Turtle Watch beach. Millenniums ago, two-ton leather back turtles were lumbering onto its beaches. In the 18th century, pirates its cays as secluded, protected hideaways. Today, snorkelers wander through its coral kingdoms, nodding good-day to an astounding variety of sea creatures. Culebra with its 23 offshore islands forms a miniature archipelago. Coral reefs in this area are considered some of the most spectacular of the entire Caribbean region. Culebra's rugged countryside, outrageous beaches and small-scale tourist industry make the 25-square-mile island a Caribbean treasure for travelers. The Mount Resaca Refuge insures the preservation of one of the few remaining large blocks of dry sub-tropical forest on Culebra. The Puerto del Manglar is surrounded by mangroves, which form a unique habitat which is vital for coastal wildlife. It is known that this area is a favorite roosting site for the endangered brown pelican. You can visit the surrounding cays by chatting up the local fishermen or by arranging dives through local operators. There's a ferry to Dewey from Fajardo that takes two hours, and air connections to Culebra from both Fajardo and San Juan. The surrounding cays require special use permits available from the Fish and Wildlife Service, Box 510, Boquerón, PR 00622. Visits to the lands administered by Culebra National Wildlife Refuge are regulated to insure protection of the rich and diverse resources. For information write to: Refuge Manager, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, General Delivery - Lower Camp Culebra, Puerto Rico 00775. The island has a small airport with domestic service to the mainland and to Vieques. The airport is served by Air Culebra from San Juan's Luis Munoz Marin International Airport and by Vieques Air Link from San Juan, Fajardo and Vieques. To get to the island, you can also take a ferry boat from Fajardo, available twice a day or by airline that serve www.AirFlamenco.net 
(koo-LAI-brah) 
Land Area: 26 sq km (10 sq mi) Water Area: 157.21 sq km Population: 1,868 Density: 71.8 per sq km (186.8 per sq mi ) Housing Units: 1,024 Housing Density: 88.1 Per Capita Income: $8,901 Source: 2000 Census Hymn: Culebra Isla preciosa... Coordinates: Latitude: 18.33º N Longitude: 65.33º W Wards: Dewey, Flamenco, Fraile, Playa Sardinas 1, Playa Sardinas 2 and San Isidro. Driving Distance: 29.1 miles to Fajardo * Driving Time: 52 minutes to Fajardo, take a Ferry *
Located about nineteen miles east of Puerto Rico and eight miles north of Vieques, Culebra is the smallest of the inhabited Spanish Virgin Islands. Much of the seven mile long by three-and-a-half mile wide island and all of the surrounding cays are a wildlife reserve, open from dawn to dusk. Culebra is an island municipality under the domain of Puerto Rico, which has been under the protection of the United States, since its annexation from Spain in 1898.
Culebra has sparse, thin soils and no permanent rivers or streams; water is obtained from a desalinization plant. Grazing and fishing are the principal activities of its few inhabitants. 
The island's most popular beach is Flamenco Beach, because of its white and soft sands. Camping is available at Flamenco Beach on the north shore. Culebra Campgrounds are government-run, for reservations contact: Autoridad de Conservación y Desarrollo de Culebra, Attn: Playa Flamenco, Apartado 217, Culebra, PR 00775.
In 1909 the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge was established. The refuge takes in over one thousand four hundred acres of land and is well known both as a nesting area for numerous seabirds, as well as the endangered leatherback turtle and Culebra giant anole. Culebra populations is close to 2,000 residents.
Culebra can be reached by ferry from Fajardo, by air or by private sea transportation. It has a mayor, are many cute and quirky guesthouses, some small hotels, a post office, a police station, there’s only bank on Culebra and is located near the ferry dock.
The snorkeling and scuba diving around Culebra are outstanding. Hard and soft corals abound in the shallows and magnificent reefs encircle the island. Tropical fish and other sea life abound.
Culebra's Beaches
Culebra has wonderful beaches. They are pure, white sand beaches that go on forever. The most accessible ones are Flamenco and Zoni. Both are on the north shore and have protective reefs, which keep the major wave action away.
Flamenco is a bay as well as a beach with a fairly complete reef protecting the over mile and a half of spectacular beach from erosion. It is located at the northwest end of the island out past the airport. There are few palms to shade yourself on the beach, but when the sun does get to be too much, there are many shady areas in the Sea Grape trees which line the last mile of beach in which to cool off and have a bite to eat. Flamenco Beach even has a small restaurant and a few food kiosks, if you forgot your lunch or beverage.
Playa Zoni is out past the north side of Dewey heading east past the airport on a scenic drive past many interesting sites, one of which is the islands museum. On your final approach to Zoni you come over a hill and it is stretched out below you with the obvious protection of a couple of not so small islands beyond and St. Thomas beyond them. The vista is remarkable. The parking at Zoni is much more informal at Zoni. There are no services there as there were at Flamenco, but like Flamenco the wave action is fairly gentle and the beach goes on and on. There are some areas where you can escape from the sun here, but far less than at Flamenco. It is much more of a sun worshippers beach.
For more details, please contact neighborhood specialist Katherine Figueroa, CRB, GRI, TRC at (787) 562-3287 or (787) 289-7808. Please visit www.RealEstateInCulebra.com
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